I agree with Pugnacious. I heard a very good saying a while back and it sticks with me to this day:
"Only a rich man can afford cheap tools."

The damage done by a cheap tool, more times than not, is more severe than the costs of buying the Snap-On or Matco tool in the first place.

 

Dan,

Read pretty much all the threads regarding oil change intervals and it seems that most make a change out prior to Porsche's recommended period. Granted that this is an enthusiasts forum and therefore biased, but for $65 it was, for me, better to be safe than sorry with my expensive toy. Besides the latest revison from 20,000 to 12,000 by Porsche didn't bolster my confidence.

As for results, the oil was pretty dark (it may not have been "dirty", but it sure didn't look pretty) and I did find some visible specks of metal floating around without trying. I'm sure I would have found more if I looked. Even if there was no cause for concern, I feel better that there is a fresh batch of Mobil 1 in my engine. Perhaps that's what it really boils down to.... feeling better. My car sure "feels" like it runs better today.

Pug, your point it well taken regarding the torque wrench. I had some questions because of the pricing, but Powerbuilt has much more expensive versions with the difference being ft-lbs. Pep Boys, HD, and Kragens carry the brand, so outside of the price I thought they must be somewhat reputable (probably faulty logic). In any case, the wrench seemed to work, but I'll take your lead and borrow my brother-in-law's Snap-on tool to just make sure.

John

 

Sounds pretty much like what I found:

https://rennlist.com/forums/showpost...62&postcount=1

 

1. oil and filter: about $75.00

2. Special tools: about $100.00

3. satisfaction of being able to work on our cars: priceless

 

I agree, I have a Craftsman as well, it's not the best around but I would never trust a cheaper version without it being calibrated. The potential of stripping the drain plug or worse, does not apeal to me.

 

I talked to the tire guy at Costco the other day. He said they have a torque wrench calibration tool that they use regularly to check their wrenches. Maybe they will let us check our older torque wrenches there? I have an older Craftsman, and would like to check and see if it still within specs.

 

yes

 

Did somebody say torque wrenches?

 

$300 for an oil change at the dealer? That seems very high.
I just had my changed at the dealer for $141.

 

Nuts isn't it? I asked the service manager twice, because I thought I didn't hear him correctly the first time.

Real easy to do yourself.

 

I went poking around under my 997S and it seems like I will not even have to jack up the car to change the oil and filter...true?

I used to do all my oil changes on my Vette's and bikes.

 

You can get by without jacking the car, it makes the job a lot easier if you can get it up at least a few inches to get you hand between the drain pan and the plug/oil filter housing.
Don't do like i did, the first time around I was in a rush and did not use porsche oil filter wrench
and gouged the PLASTIC oil filter housing, though for sure It would have been made from aluminuim or steel - wrong. ended up buying a new housing because I did not trust the damaged one.
Cost $32 - and actually came with a filter inside the box as well.

 

No jack needed, especially if you have a steep enough driveway. Just back the rear wheels to the end of the garage and the extra few inches from the drop of the driveway is plenty to get to the plug and filter.

Full disclosure... my original post complained about the $$s of the Porsche oil filter wrench compared to a similar $5.99 job from a local automotive store. I ended up using the OEM wrench as it held the filter more firmly... avoiding what happened to George_k. Still a rip-off.